Compositions and methods for improving plant nitrogen utilization efficiency (nue) and increasing plant biomass

Abstract

Provided are machine learning methods for identifying genes that affect plant properties. Also provided are plant cell sand plants comprising genetic modifications that improve plant nitrogen utilization and increased biomass. Methods of making the modified plant cells and plants are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modified plant cell, said modified plant cell comprising a modification that inhibits expression of hb75. 
     
     
         2 . The modified plant cell of  claim 1 , further comprising a modification such that expression of a gene selected from Table 4 is altered. 
     
     
         3 . The modified plant cell of  claim 2 , wherein the gene is nf-ya3, and wherein expression of nf-ya3 is inhibited. 
     
     
         4 . A plant comprising plant cells of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         5 . The plant of  claim 4 , wherein the plant exhibits at least one of: an increase in Nitrogen (N) uptake, increased biomass, an increased harvest index, an increased Total nitrogen utilization (NUtE), or an increased total Grain NUtE, relative to a plant that does not comprise a modification that inhibits expression of hb75. 
     
     
         6 . The plant of  claim 5 , wherein the plant exhibits the increased biomass. 
     
     
         7 . The plant of  claim 5 , wherein the plant is a maize plant. 
     
     
         8 . The plant of  claim 7 , wherein the increased biomass comprises increased grain mass. 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising modifying a plant comprising disrupting expression hb75 such that the plant exhibits at least one of an increase in Nitrogen (N) uptake, increased biomass, an increased harvest index, an increased Total nitrogen utilization (NUtE), or an increased total Grain NUtE, relative to a plant that does not comprise a modification that inhibits expression of hb75. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plant further comprises a such that expression of a gene selected from Table 4 is altered. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the gene is nf-ya3, and wherein expression of nf-ya3 is inhibited. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plant is a maize plant. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the plant is a maize plant. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plant is a maize plant.